“So what’s up?” Alonzo asked. “This shit has to end somehow…” Alonzo took a hit of his cigarette. “Brother.”“Shut the fuck up!” Dre screamed. “ Don’t call me that. Just because we are related doesn’t mean I will spare your life!” Zettie glanced at Dre and chuckled.

Yonny hopped back into the car and raced to his job to explain to his boss what was going on. When he arrived, he got out of the taxi and sprinted to George’s office.“George let me explain.” Yonny shouted anxiously. “I don’t want to hear it.” George replied. “ Give me your keys and cell phone!” Yonny flipped George’s desk.

“What the fuck are we going to use her for anyways?” Derrick asked, Becky shrugged her shoulders. “ She will be dead weight!” Derrick shouted. Silence engulfed the hotel room for a moment; Harlem’s heart began to race. “She could be a house maid.” Becky announced, Derrick burst into laughter.“Yeah?” He replied. “Who will teach her how to clean?” Derrick asked, Becky glanced at Harlem.“I will.” Becky replied.

​“Are we going into the bank or what?” Trina asked, Alonzo knodded.“One sec…” Alonzo replied, Trina screw faced Alonzo. “ I have a proposition for Dre.” Alonzo could hear Big Pie smack her teeth through the phone.“What you mean?” Big Pie asked, Alonzo chuckled. “I was talking to my brother, not you!” Alonzo shouted. “I’m trying to make some money!” Pronto sighed. Pump pulled out a bag of weed. “Can I roll now?” Pump asked. “Not yet.” Zettie replied. “ We have to finish this conversation first.”

31

“I knew it!” Yolanda exclaimed. “ I never should have trusted you!” Yolanda tried to break free of the correctional officers’ grip; Rita chuckled. “Fuck you bitch!” Rita replied. “Like I said, I don’t fucking know you!” Rita screamed. Riley, the head warden of the prison, approached the group. “What’s going on here? Riley asked. “They were fighting.” Fred declared. Yolanda and Rita looked at Fred with disgust. “Separate them until their cases clear.” Riley ordered. The correctional officers dragged Yolanda and Rita to different cells and locked them in.

“What’s the plan?” Dre asked, Alonzo smiled from ear to ear. “You teach me how to sell drugs, and I pay you back the money you lost from Yolanda going to jail.” Alonzo replied, Dre chuckled. “Yeah right!” Zettie interrupted. “How do we know Dre will get paid?” He asked. “You have my word.” Alonzo replied. “How do we know we can trust you?” Pronto asked. “He’s my brother, now that I know, I will never do him wrong.” Alonzo replied.

George got in Yonny’s face. So you want to be a tough guy?” George asked. “Just because I fired you?” Yonny spit in George’s face. “Fuck you!” Yonny said as he took his tag off and threw the keys at George. “I don’t need this” Yonny exclaimed. “Good riddens” George exclaimed, Yonny slammed the door as he exited George’s office.

“I’m going outside for a smoke!” Derrick announced as he left the hotel room. Becky sat on the bed next to Harlem. “It will be okay.” Becky declared. “I will make sure you are safe.” Becky embraced Harlem. “What’s your name anyways?“Harlem.” She declared, Becky smiled. “Harlem.” Becky repeated. “That’s a nice name.” Becky reached out for Harlem’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Harlem.” Becky stated as she shook Harlem’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” Harlem replied.